Hours passed. The soldiers were separated into seven large groups, one to protect the hive, and were all waiting outside, armed and ready. Amor looked around, seeing the changelings grouped up like Phillies in a classroom click. Escara zig-zagged between groups and made his way over.
“Sir, everyone has their orders and know where they are going. Orders are to be cautious but find ways to eliminate hostiles without drawing attention to themselves. Anything else?”
“Make sure their love reserves are full, they are going to need it. And make sure the designated squad leaders have maps of all locations they need. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to find someone.”
Amor headed back into the hive to find a certain changeling. In the hive of thousands, it would normally have taken Amor all day to find the one he needed, but Amor knew where to find her. He knocked on the door to one of the original houses in the hive. A second passed, and Amor heard hoofsteps coming down stairs. The door clicked as the handle turned, and a single changeling welcomed Amor into her home.
“Oh my goo-oh, Amor, come in, please. Sorry, I didn’t recognize you in that armor for a minute.” Before Amor was a small, first generation changeling, no cutie mark on her side. A toothy scar was across her body and her wings were shredded, making it unable for her to fly.
“Thank you, Souls.”
“It’s my pleasure. To what do I owe the visit?”
“Just making sure you have a way to get to Canterlot while we’re away.”
“Well…uuhhh.”
“You don’t, do you?”
“Well, em, no.”
“No one is willing to help?”
“I…haven’t really asked. I always expected to ride in a chariot with you, sir.”
“Well, while we’re gone, the soldiers can’t pull you, so we need to find you someone who is willing to help.”
“Oh there’s no need.”
“I insist. There’s got to be someone willing to help.” Souls sighed as she followed Amor into the walkways of the hive, flooded with citizens. Amor already had one changeling in mind, who coincidentally walked by as Amor exited the house. A healthy changeling walked by the former king, a green flame on his flank. Amor stuck a hoof out to catch him. “Sheol, may I ask a favor from you?”
“Of course sir.”
“Would you pull a chariot to Canterlot while I am away?”
“Of course. What am I going to carry?”
Amor waved his companion forward. “Sheol, I’m sure you know Souls.”
Sheol bowed and put a hoof forward. “Ma’am”
“Well, aren’t you a gentlecolt.” She took his hoof and shook.
“Alright, do you know anyone who would be willing to help? It’s going to be a two person job, at least.”
“Of course. I know at least one of my friends would be willing to help.”
“Are you sure?”
“Don’t worry about it, I’ll find someone. Care to join me, Souls?”
“Of course.” The two changelings trotted down the road, leaving Amor to go on with his duties. He called out to them before they were too far out of range.
“You know where to find the chariots, right?”
“Yes, yes, we’ll be fine, sir.”
Amor sighed as he waved them away. He began taking into account anything else he needed to do. “Let’s see, Souls is taken care of, the soldiers are getting prepared, everyone has their assigned post…” Amor began using his magic to pull his sword half out of the sheath and letting it drop back in repeatedly as he thought, listening to the soothing sound of dragging metal. “Purity and Chrysalis are ready, the hive is protected, everyone knows to go to Canterlot…I hope. No, that sounds like about it, although I still feel like I’m forgetting something, then again, I always have that feeling. Ah well.” Amor let his sword drop one last time before shrugging off any doubts and headed back outside. Purity and Chrysalis were already waiting outside, the rest of the soldiers chattering away, oblivious to the presence of their queen, or anyone other than them for that matter. Chrysalis trotted to Amor and put her head to his, closing her eyes and crossing horns.
“I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too. And I’ll see you when this is all over.” Chrysalis smiled.
Purity was watching the whole thing. “Ahem.” Both Amor and Chrysalis shook off their affection and were in full attention.
“Eh, sorry.” As Amor apologized, Escara and Avispa made their way back to the royalty.
“Now I just need a way to draw their attention.”
Escara chimed in. “Allow me. This is easy.” Escara, being the superior officer in the changeling army, could easily demand the attention of his soldiers. He stood firm and tall, cleared his throat, and shouted at the top of his lungs. “ATTEN-TION!” At the sound of his voice, half the changelings immediately dropped what they were doing and looked at the group, while the other half panicked in fear that they did something wrong, then shook off the fear and did the same.
Purity gracefully stepped forward. “Thank you, Escara. Fellow changelings, you have your orders. At my command, we fly to our camp areas and set up. If you find a camp of the false king, Hornet, near your site, you are to eliminate all hostiles. Leave no survivors. Infiltrators are to search the lands around you to find any other camps. When found, do NOT attack. You are to report the location to your superior officer and they are to send a letter to me, Amor, or Chrysalis. Is that understood?” The crowd cheered in response. “Good. Alright, takeoff!” At the order, every single soldier spread their wings. A near-deafening buzz filled the air and shook the ground as the changelings filled the air. The sky went black as six groups separated from the one major one. Escara, Avispa, Amor, Purity, and Chrysalis stayed behind for a few moments to marvel at the site that was as rare the great dragon migration. Amor turned to see the rest next to him.
“I’ll see you all when we get back.”
“Yeah, if we get back.”
“No, when we get back.”
Escara took his amulet in his hoof and closed his eyes. “We’ll make it.”
Amor grinned as his wings began to beat. “I’ll see you when this is over.” He followed the swarm through the air and broke away with his team. Escara and Avispa began beating their wings.
“We should follow him. Queen Purity, Queen Chrysalis, it’s a pleasure serving you.” The two found themselves following Amor, having to put forth twice the effort to catch up. Purity and Chrysalis were left standing outside of the hive. Chrysalis looked over at her adopted daughter, the usual emotionless look on her face was replaced by one of worry.
“Not as eager as your father is to get this done, are you?”
She closed her eyes. “I’m practically shaking.”
“You are shaking.” Purity looked down at her legs. Sure enough, she couldn’t keep them still. “Breathe. You need to be strong, for me, for your father, for your people.” Purity mumbled something under her breath that Chrysalis couldn’t understand, but it sounded like she said someone’s name. “What was that?”
“Nothing. I’ll miss you, mother.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll be back. Come, let us go.” The former queen and current queen both began beating their wings, taking off in their separate directions.